Juan Enrique Ortuzar, chairman of the Comité de Cítricos de Chile, says Chile’s citrus season is off to a good start. The climate plays an important part: “We had a warm autumn, allowing the fruits to develop, while the cold winter added to the orange color without there actually being frost,” he says. “The lack of rain, furthermore, has provided us with an uninterrupted harvest.”
Export numbers are looking good this year, with an expected 10% rise and an anticipated build-up to 166,000 tons. Last year’s export experienced an 11% increase, leading up to 159,581 tons.
International markets: output and challenges
Juan Enrique Ortuzar says the US is the biggest market for citrus: “The US were good for 70% of last year’s export, and this share will most likely see an expansion this year. Second place goes to the Far East with 15%, more than half of which goes to Japan. Third is Europe.
The market however, is not without challenges, stresses the chairman, as Australia and South-Africa are set to provide strong competition. The season is moving fast, and the ripening process can influence export numbers. Also, lack of rain in the Coquimbo region is a major concern. There was not enough snowfall in the mountains, causing the reservoirs to run dry. Maintaining minimum quality for fruit export also raises concern. “The Comité de Cítricos de Chile is upholding a minimum program for the maturity of navel oranges on the market,” says Ortuzar.
A campaign to promote the navel on the US and Korean markets is already underway.
Source: SimFRUIT/ Comité de Cítricos de Chile